Bolton fell to a very late defeat, conceeding a 93rd minute Peter Whittingham penalty at the Cardiff City Stadium, in a game which they for the most part had to play with ten men.
Early on Emile Heskey, who has started the last three games, was brough down by Lee Peltier. The free kick was given.
From that set-piece Bolton then went into a lead away for home for the first time since October when Zach Clough curled it into the top corner to make the 270 or so travelling Wanderers fans happy.
It would soon turn into an exercise in defending though, as Niall Maher was sent off for elbowing Craig Noone.
From then on it was chance after chance for Cardiff, with the young back four, now including Tyler Garratt on for his debut, standing firm.
Bolton however, will be ruing two big chances of their own as Clough, then Kaiyne Woolery off the bench, failed to captialise on golden chances.
In the end the hosts did that. Kenneth Zahore, usually a sub for once a starter, fired home after Noone ran from inside his own half.
In injury time, Bolton were deprived of even a point. Kadeem Harris was brought down, and Peter Whittingham converted the spot-kick, to complete a familiar tale.
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